Device for capturing microscopy images

Abstract

The disclosure relates to devices for capturing microscopy images of a sample, comprising a partially coherent light source and an image sensor having a sensor head and sensor readout means. The sensor head and light source are arranged such that the sensor head and light source define a sample space therebetween for receiving a substrate having a sample, and such that an optical image of a sample in the sample space by the partially coherent light source onto the sensor head represents an intensity pattern. Further, the disclosure relates to systems for monitoring a sample having a plurality of such devices for capturing microscopy images.

1 . Device for capturing microscopy images of a sample, comprising:
 a partially coherent light source; and   an image sensor including comprising aa sensor head and a sensor readout device, wherein the sensor head and the partially coherent light source are arranged such that the sensor head and the partially coherent light source define a sample space therebetween for receiving a substrate having a sample, wherein   an optical image of a sample in a sample chamber through the partially coherent light source onto the sensor head represents an intensity pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the partially coherent light source and the sensor head are arranged to be set up for lensless imaging, wherein no lens and/or no optical component affecting optical coherence of light of the partially coherent light source as well as light guidance is/are arranged between the partially coherent light source and the image sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the partially coherent light source has a coherence length between 1 and 100 μm. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor readout device is spaced apart from the sensor head such that, during operation of the sensor readout device, the sample space is substantially not heated by the operation. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more filters arranged between the partially coherent light source and the sensor head, wherein at least one of the filters is directly applied to the sensor head, in particular is directly vapor-deposited. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support member adapted to support a sample and adapted to receive the sensor head. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the support member comprises a first portion for receiving the sensor head and a second portion, wherein thermal conductivity and/or thermal capacity and/or emissivity of the second portion is determined to be substantially identical to thermal conductivity and/or thermal capacity and/or emissivity of the first portion after receiving the sensor head. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to one of  claim 6 , wherein a surface of a support element is adapted for positioning of sample containers, in particular by having a profile which is adapted to a shape of sample containers. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor head and/or the partially coherent light source are adapted to be movable relative to a sample placeable in the sample space. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is a first device and where in the first device is adapted to be placed on top of a second device similar to the first device, such that the first device cannot be displaced relative to or fall off of the second device. 
     
     
         11 . A system for monitoring samples, in particular biological cells, the system comprising:
 one or more devices, each device including:
 a partially coherent light source; and 
 an image sensor including a sensor head and a sensor readout device, wherein the sensor head and the partially coherent light source are arranged such that the sensor head and the partially coherent light source define a sample space therebetween for receiving a substrate having a sample, wherein an optical image of a sample in a sample chamber through the partially coherent light source onto the sensor head represents an intensity pattern; 
   wherein the system is adapted to allow a plurality of samples to be monitored by the one or more devices.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein monitoring comprises moving the one or more devices and/or moving the samples.